Colorado Glaucoma Surgery

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Types of Glaucoma Surgery and Costs in Colorado – Which Surgery is Right for You?

When you have glaucoma, surgery is required. If you do not get glaucoma surgery, the glaucoma can progress to the point of blinding you. So, it is really imperative that you get glaucoma surgery as soon as you possibly can after finding out you have the condition. There are several different types of glaucoma surgery: laser trabeculoplasty, sclerostomy, viscocanalostomy, and iridotomy. Laser trabeculoplasty uses a laser to burn some of the trabecular meshwork below the iris so that it can be corrected/cleared of any possible blockages. There are actually two different types of laser trabeculoplasty surgery: argon laser and selective laser. Argon laser trabeculoplasty uses an argon laser to the meshwork in order to make several small holes. Selective laser trabeculoplasty is only used to burn away certain cells.

Sclerostomy is a surgical procedure that is used to create channels for drainage from the anterior chamber to right under the conjunctiva. There are two different types of sclerostomy: penetrating sclerostomy and non-penetrating sclerostomy. With penetrating sclerostomy, the channel is made so that it passes through the anterior chamber. With non-penetrating sclerostomy, it does not pass through the anterior chamber. Viscocanalostomy is an eye surgical procedure that makes a flap in the sclera to expose Schlemm's canal. Iridotomy is a surgical procedure that creates tiny holes in the iris, either by traditional methods or by laser. There are different types of iridotomy: laser peripheral iridotomy and iridectomy/corectomy. With laser peripheral iridotomy, a laser is used to burn a hole at the base of the iris. With iridectomy/corectomy, part of the iris tissue is removed.

The cost of getting glaucoma surgery can depend on the type of surgery you get and where you have it done. Most of the time it is an out-patient procedure and averages somewhere around $1,396 in the Denver area. It is probably cheaper in smaller towns though. However, if you have to be admitted to the hospital for your glaucoma surgery, it can cost almost $6,000 in a Denver-area hospital. As you can see, it is best to get it done as an out-patient.

The good news is that, since glaucoma surgery is medically necessary, your insurance should cover most of the cost of getting glaucoma surgery. It will not cover it all, but any amount of coverage can be helpful. If you have to stay in a hospital, you will have more out-of-pocket expenses, but even your medical insurance should cover a good portion of that as well.